Dollar dips as labor market slowdown bolsters case that the Fed is done raising rates

• USD/JPY declines on expectations BOJ will let rates rise quickly
• Fed rate cut bets fully priced in by March meeting; implied rate stands at 5.123%
• Fed’s Bostic noted US employment gains are slowing in an orderly manner, no need for tightening

NFP Day 

The US economy should continue to gradually weaken as the labor market softens.  This labor market report showed 187,000 jobs were added to the economy, while wage pressures heated up, and as the unemployment rate dipped to 3.5%.  This NFP report should support the argument that the Fed is done raising rates.  Fed speak post payrolls poured cold water over the hot bond market selloff.  Fed’s Bostic said that the job gains are slowing orderly  and that they have no reason to hike again. Fed’s Goolsbee added that they are getting positive numbers with inflation and that the job market is cooling a little bit.  The risks for more Fed tightening are going away, but that could change with next Thursday’s inflation report.

USD/JPY

Price action on the USD/JPY daily chart show that the potential bearish ABCD pattern that formed a couple days ago is tentatively respecting trendline support at the 141.50 region.  If bearish momentum remains in place downside could target the 140.00 zone.  With the BOJ’s minor tweak to YCC in place and steady US data that supports the economy is weakening, the dollar-yen could see bearishness remain intact.  To the upside, 144.00 remains key resistance

Apple disappoints and Amazon Delivers

The last two major tech giant earnings delivered diverging stories.  Amazon crushed it in the second quarter, while delivering financial discipline with lower spending.  The outlook impressed for both ecommerce and their cloud services, while the lower headcount made this a perfect earnings report.

Apple told a different story than Amazon as their outlook devices weakened, which is prompting concerns that this might be as good as it gets over the short-term for share prices.  A weakening consumer and a similar fourth quarter is not inspiring investors.

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